orient

American  

[awr-ee-uhnt, ‑ee-ent, ohr-, awr-ee-ent, ohr‑] / ˈɔr i ənt, ‑iˌɛnt, ˈoʊr-, ˈɔr iˌɛnt, ˈoʊr‑ /

noun

1. Older Use. the Orient,

   1. the countries of Asia, especially East Asia.

   2. (formerly) the countries to the east of the Mediterranean.

2. Jewelry.

   1. an orient pearl.

   2. the iridescence of a pearl.

3. the east; the eastern region of the heavens or the world.

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verb (used with object)

1. to adjust with relation to, or bring into due relation to surroundings, circumstances, facts, etc.

2. to familiarize (a person) with new surroundings or circumstances, or the like.

   lectures designed to orient the new students.

   Synonyms:

   relate, accustom

3. to place in any definite position with reference to the points of the compass or other locations.

   to orient a building north and south.

4. to direct or position toward a particular object.

   Orient it toward that house.

5. to determine the position of in relation to the points of the compass; get the bearings of.

6. to place so as to face the east, especially to build (a church) with the chief altar to the east and the chief entrance to the west.

7. Surveying. to set (the horizontal circle of a surveying instrument) so that readings give correct azimuths.

8. Mathematics. to assign to (a surface) a constant, outward direction at each point.

verb (used without object)

1. to turn toward the east or in any specified direction.

adjective

1. (of a gem or pearl) exceptionally fine and lustrous; oriental.

2. Archaic. rising or appearing, especially as from below the horizon.

   the orient sun.

orient ¹ British  

noun

1. poetic another word for east Compare occident

2. archaic the eastern sky or the dawn

3. 1. the iridescent lustre of a pearl

   2. ( as modifier )

      orient pearls

4. a pearl of high quality

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adjective

1. poetic eastern

2. archaic (of the sun, stars, etc) rising

verb

1. to adjust or align (oneself or something else) according to surroundings or circumstances

2. (tr) to position, align, or set (a map, surveying instrument, etc) with reference to the points of the compass or other specific directions

3. (tr) to set or build (a church) in an easterly direction

Orient ² British  

/ ˈɔːrɪənt /

noun

1. the countries east of the Mediterranean

2. the eastern hemisphere

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Other Word Forms

• orienter noun
• self-oriented adjective
• well-oriented adjective

Etymology

Origin of orient

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin orient- (stem of oriēns ) “the east, sunrise,” noun use of present participle of orīrī “to rise”; -ent

Explanation

When you orient yourself towards something, you point yourself towards it, literally or figuratively. The Orient is an old-fashioned name for Asia, or the East. It's where the sun rises, and, sure enough, the Latin root of orient means "rising," as in the rising of the sun. If you're lost in the woods, probably the first thing you'd do is look for the sun and try to orient yourself — figure out which direction you need to walk in order to get to where you want to go. You might also take out your orienteering equipment — your compass and map. If the sun isn't out, you might have to settle in and orient yourself to your surroundings and prepare for a long night in the woods.

Example Sentences

"Engineers have been using the vent heaters to melt any potential ice that may be clogging the line," Nasa said, adding that they were continuing to orient the vent toward the Sun.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

This is central to helping the American people orient themselves in this confusing time.

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2026

It’s up to us to figure out how do we orient to our tools in ways that are going to give us their benefits without wearing us out.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2026

With each track, it takes us a moment to orient ourselves to each perspective, figure out who is speaking and what they want.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

It took me a moment to orient myself, to understand that she was standing in my room, in the middle of the night.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

Related Words

• adapt
• adjust
• align
• conform